De Dana Dhan Movie Review
Akshay Kumar’s much hyped De Dana Dhan released worldwide today and the expectations quite obviously are high. For one, the film reunites the Hera Pheri team of Akshay Kumar – Paresh Rawal – Suniel Shetty and director Priyadarshan. Over the years, Priyadarshan films that I have loved in particular have been Hera Pheri, Hungama and to a certain extent Hulchul. De Dana Dhan promises more – 25 character actors along with a thrilling water-flood scene as its climax.
Story is something, we cannot expect from Priyan’s films. But is it entertaining enough to deserve the price of your tickets? Read on..
Nithin (Akshay Kumar) works for a rich mall-owner (played by Archana Puran Singh) in Singapore. He is in love with Anjali (Katrina Kaif) and with dreams of quitting his slave-job and marrying the love of his life, he is always on a look out for a shortcut to richness. With help from his friend Ram (Suniel Shetty), the two hatch a plan to kidnap his owner’s Dog! What follows is utter chaos filled with innumerable misunderstandings and confusions.
De Dana Dhan Review
The negatives first, for a change
- The fact that Paresh Rawal and some of the other character actors have more screen-time than Akshay Kumar is simply unacceptable. Most parts of the second half Akki is locked in the wardrobe, which would be terribly disappointing for Akki fans and the roar when he is finally released, proves just that.
- Katrina Kaif has nothing to do. No role, few dialogues and the sizzling Gale Lag Ja dance number has been kept away as a bonus by director Priyadarshan for the post-weekend shows. Again, unacceptable.
- For a movie hyped as the return of the Hera Pheri team – Paresh Rawal has absolutely no interaction with neither Suniel Shetty nor Akshay Kumar. Unacceptable, disappointing and with a hint of exaggeration cruel!
- The runtime is close to 3 hours and the director has wasted loads of time in introducing all the 20 odd characters. With each having multiple misunderstandings with two of the other characters, the movies gets too monotonous in the second half.
- While you expect non-stop entertainment, the funny scenes are few and far in between. The whole marriage angle in the second half and the addition of several new characters, ruins what should have been a thoroughly entertaining ride had the director just stuck to the Akshay – Suniel storyline.
- The dialogues are strictly average. Some of them work, most don’t.
- The climax which refreshes memories of the Tsumani hit resorts, looks realistic. But what’s the whole point of the scene, to evoke laughter? Sorry it didn’t.
- What’s with the abrupt end? None of misunderstandings were cleared. Are we expecting too much here? Wasn’t it Akshay who claimed ‘Take your brains to theaters’ — After watching the film, would love to know exactly why.. ?
Its disappointing, disturbing and not one bit funny anymore! Its hard to see an actor, who you have grown to love over the years, as a part of such flicks.
Positives
- About two scenes involving Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty in the first half are funny.
- When Akshay is released from the cupboard. The scene that follows is hilarious.
- Those inhaling of chloroform scenes were funny too and performed well by all the actors involved.
- Katrina looks stunning and so does Neha Dhupia, who deserves credit for putting up the best show amongst the females.
- Johnny Lever is fantastic.
Other performances
- Archana Puran Singh – Too Loud and over the top.
- Paresh Rawal has the meatiest role. He excels in certain scenes, but average in others.
- Suniel Shetty doesn’t have much to do in the second half, but does well in the first.
- Asrani as Mamu is good.
- Sameera Reddy is purely for eye candy.
- Rajpal Yadav is very good.
- Manoj Joshi is loud but effective.
- Chunky Pandey is okay.
- Aditi Govitrikar currently locked in the Bigg Boss house looks gorgeous.
- Shakti Kapoor was irritating.
Overall, De Dana Dhan isn’t close to being as good as Priyadarshan’s ‘H Series’ (read Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul) of classics. Although this review wouldn’t make much of a difference to die hard Akshay fans, it is they who will be most disappointed.
Rating: 
Other comments – Not much to say really. It was better than the other two comedies of Akshay Kumar this year and probably deserves half a star more, if not a full one. But with Akshay missing in the second half, Katrina making short appearances every 20 mins and the lack of interaction between the Hera Pheri gang.. makes it one of the bigger disappointments of the year.
Let the bashing begin..!
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Comments
nauman: (November 28, 2009 at 4:00 pm)
nauman: (November 28, 2009 at 4:05 pm)
http://www.bollywood.com gave 4/5
where are all people since last 2 hrs no comments
where are all ?? may be every one has gone to watch DDD.
akash: (November 28, 2009 at 4:41 pm)
i have seen movie, movie is ok yaar, below expectations, aur climax to kachra hay,some seens r excellent in comedy but rest of the movie is ok not good…………..
akki gives 5th flop of the year………..
GAURAV MARKAN: (November 28, 2009 at 5:01 pm)
I GO TO THE CINEMA YESTERDAY AND I AM TOTALLY AGREE WITH U AS IT WAS AKSHAY WHO BRING THE AUDIENCE TO THEREATERS. BUT HIS PERFORMANCE IS REALLY BAD EXCEPT IN ONE OR TWO INSTANCES..
THERE WAS NO SCRIPT.
I AM VERY BIG FAN OF AKSHAY BUT, NOW I THINK HE SHOULD TAKE A BREAK FROM INDUSTRY FOR SOME TIME AND HE SHOULD BE SELECTIVE WHILE SIGNING THE MOVIES BECAUSE THE WAY HIS CARRER GRAPH (IN TERMS OF MOVIES ) IS GOING DOWN AND DOWN AFTER THE BLOCKBUSTER SUCCESS OF “SINGH IS KINNG”
IF AKSHAY CONTINUES DOING THESE MOVIES , HIS FAN FOLLOWING WILL BE REDUCED WHICH I DO THINK HE WOULD ALSO NOT LIKE…
PRIYADARSHAN HAS IN TOTALITY WASTED THE TALENT OF AKSHAY , KATRINA AND SUNIEL….
Fuad: (November 28, 2009 at 5:45 pm)
4 ALL AKKI FANS when KI was releasd akki fans said he is back with a bang.the film was really gud.but afta 1 week da picture was clear.we know how many ppl wanted money back.dnt we?? Same goes wiv blue..so plz dnt try 2 protect your fav. actor othawise he’ll nt be selective….
Punter: (November 28, 2009 at 6:04 pm)
@fuad : its u who has nt liked the movie but most of the ppl have liked the movie. no movie has universal charm . As fas As Akki is Concerned He is loved the most in Comedies and Action even though he is versatile so he is concentrating on what ppl want him to do
sudeep: (November 28, 2009 at 6:31 pm)
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
De Dana Dhan grossed a good 6.25 crore nett on day one. Saturday being a holiday the film is expected to show big business over the weekend. The first day approx territory breakdowns were as follows. The film did will well in most circuits except South India which was below the mark.
Mumbai – 2.40 crore
Delhi/UP – 1.35 crore
East Punjab – 55 lakhs
West Bengal – 25 lakhs
Bihar – 10 lakhs
CP Berar – 30 lakhs
CI – 22 lakhs
Rajasthan – 35 lakhs
Nizam – 28 lakhs
Mysore – 22 lakhs
Others – 15 lakhs
amish: (November 28, 2009 at 6:37 pm)
Gud… am sure today it `ll make 9-10cr… this movie rocks man……:)
sudeep: (November 28, 2009 at 7:08 pm)
First weekend will be around 20-23 crs..good news guysssss
amish: (November 28, 2009 at 7:12 pm)
Sudeep- i feel 23-25cr weekend…;) totally 32-35cr week… wat say…;)
Amit singhania: (November 28, 2009 at 8:03 pm)
Omg ddd collected 6.25cr yday.amish nauman dun worry 10cr cuming up today nd tommorow.weekand 25cr week 45cr total 80 blockbuster..paa opening 8cr weekand 13cr week total 16cr flop..radio ll be disaster 5cr in total run
amish: (November 28, 2009 at 8:20 pm)
Indicine team- ha ha.. i never gave any sort of rating…. (like in stars..) but would rather give a movie thumbs up or down from nw…;) bcoz rating has no value here….;)
U did tel me a week back tat as long as d 2– 3 hrs spent in a cinema hall s entertainin and refreshing, need not worry bout d story,script & reviews…;)
this movie was very much entertainin n refreshin and my facial and abdominal muscles had a very gud time..:)
wat more s needed.. be it d tsunami thing or akshays absense i enjoyed it completely..:)
this movie shud deserve a superhit/BB tag.. -” my opinion though”( ur dialogue),,;) he he
amish: (November 28, 2009 at 8:29 pm)
AMIT— Radio collecting 5cr is highly unlikely dude.. it may finish below 2cr…;)
but Paa `ll do more than 20cr business for sure…:)
last night watched paresh rawal`s interview. he said Paa `ll not work big time as it s an emotional movie.. and Radio he didnt even want to talk..;) Paresh s der in both d movies….. so he `ll know better…:)
rajan chaurasia: (November 28, 2009 at 8:58 pm)
de dana dan is really a watchable movie i wathed 2 times and i love it, iam again goint to watch tomorrow,third time.not see the critics reviews,go and hear the audiance what they r telling about the movie.
sudeep: (November 28, 2009 at 9:13 pm)
Amish:Weekend can be 20-25 crs…have to see on monday onwards…..But if it get 20-25 weekend,then it can get 35-40 crs in 1 week…..
chirag: (November 28, 2009 at 10:15 pm)
nauman shut up..katrina is an awesum actor..nd atleast she has a job unlyk u hu is praisin akshay kumar..nauman luk at urself bfre comentng on othrs character..
amish: (November 28, 2009 at 10:42 pm)
De Dana Dhan Scores Heavily In United Kingdom
Saturday 28th November 2009 19.30 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
De Dana Dhan had a huge first day in United Kingdom as it grossed £100,000 approx on Friday. This is the second biggest first day of the year after Love Aaj Kal. The film may have a £350,000 plus weekend in United Kingdom. Approx Friday business for some other major releases this year is as follows.
Love Aaj Kal – £120,000
Kambakkht Ishq – £83,000
Blue – £58,000
Kurbaan – £45,000
London Dreams – £45,000
amish: (November 28, 2009 at 10:44 pm)
Wowee……. De dana dan de dana dan dil mera bole de dana dan…..;)
amish: (November 28, 2009 at 11:00 pm)
Log machaye shor……….lutaye karod…. akshay kumar tere dil ka chor…..;) way to go akki….:)
am just hopin this movie makes akshay , KING OF BOX OFFICE once again….;)
prediction of Astro numerologist Bhavikk:
The title ‘DE DANA DAN’ adds up to Number 30 symbolizing mental superiority and material attitude. But it focuses more on increasing mental attitude than material happiness. Therefore it is neither totally auspicious nor inauspicious”, explains Bhavikk.
“For Akshay Kumar (9th September 1967) – Number 3 is one of his strongest numbers and so he will benefit from the film. Ditto Paresh Rawal (30th May 1950). The release date of the film is November 27 – the sum total of Sunil Shetty’s date of birth (11th August 1961) adds on the same number and so he will also gain something from it”, predicts Bhavikk.
“The period between November 24 to December 23 comes under the zodiac sign of Sagittarius which is also ruled by Number 3 – the planet of wealth and knowledge. So it seems ‘De Dana Dan’ will only spread cheer and bring some ‘good news’ for the industry”, concludes Bhavikk on a final note.